Sealed Coffee Bean Package for Freshness and Clean Variety Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee makers often result in flavor and aroma loss due to prolonged exposure of coffee beans to air, and residual coffee grounds from previous grinding sessions can contaminate new beans, making it difficult to efficiently change coffee types and maintain freshness.
Innovation Solution
A coffee making system with a connected coffee bean package that prevents exposure to air, uses coffee bean fragments for easier packaging and grinding, and includes a dosing mechanism to ensure precise coffee bean supply, allowing for easy switching between different coffee bean types without residual grounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If coffee beans are stored in the coffee bean holder for a long time before grinding, then the coffee maker can be prepared for use in advance, but the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans are lost due to prolonged exposure to air
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean holder is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of holding different coffee beans. This segmentation allows the system to store multiple types of coffee beans separately, preventing cross-contamination and allowing each compartment to be optimized for its specific coffee type while reducing overall air exposure time for each batch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary grinding by grinding coffee beans immediately before brewing rather than storing them for extended periods. The multiple compartments allow the system to prepare different coffee beans in advance and grind them on-demand, eliminating the need for prolonged storage while maintaining freshness.
2Productivity
If a complete pack of coffee beans is emptied into the coffee bean holder, then the coffee maker can operate continuously, but residual grounds from previous grinding runs contaminate new beans
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean holder is segmented into multiple compartments that can be independently filled and emptied. This allows the system to process one compartment at a time, completely emptying each compartment before moving to the next, thereby preventing residual grounds from previous grinding runs from contaminating new coffee beans while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to completely discard the contents of each compartment after grinding, ensuring that no residual grounds remain to contaminate the next batch. The multiple compartments allow for efficient discarding and resetting of each section independently, maintaining productivity while eliminating contamination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coffee bean holder is filled with new coffee beans whose taste differs from the previous filling, then the coffee variety can be changed, but residual grounds from the previous filling mix with the new coffee beans
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean holder is divided into multiple separate compartments that can be independently filled with different coffee bean varieties. When switching coffee types, the system can empty one compartment completely and fill it with a new variety without mixing with residual grounds from previous varieties, maintaining flavor purity while enabling versatile coffee selection.
4Productivity
If the coffee bean package is opened and closed multiple times, then coffee beans can be supplied for multiple brews, but the repeated opening and closing increases exposure to air
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean package is divided into multiple compartments, each containing a specific amount of coffee beans for one or more brews. Each compartment can be sealed independently, allowing the system to open only the specific compartment needed for the current brew while keeping other compartments sealed and protected from air exposure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively preserves coffee freshness by minimizing air exposure and eliminating residual grounds, enabling convenient and efficient switching between coffee bean types, ensuring each brew maintains the desired flavor and aroma.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the dose of coffee beans is ground by the grinder to obtain ground coffee
Implementation Method 2
the ground coffee is transported from the grinder to the coffee preparation device under the influence of gravity
Implementation Method 3
the closing means close off the coffee bean package in itself such that contact between the coffee beans and the ambient air is prevented
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system(l) for preparing a coffee beverage, provided with a coffee' making apparatus (2) comprising a grinder (6) for grinding coffee beans to obtain ground coffee, a coffee beverage preparation device (7) arranged for, with supply of water to the ground coffee, preparing the coffee beverage, and a coffee outlet (8) for dispensing the coffee beverage, a separate coffee bean package (3) with an inner space which at least before use is filled with the coffee beans, wherein the coffee bean package (3) before use is closed off in itself such that the exposure of the coffee beans to ambient air is prevented, a coffee bean inlet (5) for supply of coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, and a connecting device (4) for connecting the coffee bean package (3) to the coffee making apparatus (2).